Air or other current separator



Jan. 30, 1940. s. H. FRASER AIR OR OTHER CURRENT SEPAHATOR Original Filed Jan. 10, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Jan. 30, 1940.

Original Filed Jan. 10, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 a; v .93 I I i9 12; a

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INVENTOR Patented Jan. 30, 1940 UNITED STATES rATNT orrlcs Original application January 10, 1935, Serial No. 1,173. Divided and this application May 18, 1936, Serial No. 80,258. Renewed May 13, 1939 20 Claims.

This application is a division of my application Serial No. 1,173 filed Jan. 10, 1935, and is in part a continuation of my application Serial No. 606,407, now Patent 2,113,586, filed April 20, 1932.

This invention relates to separators for separating fine from coarse material by a fluid current.

Some such separators have a settling chamber,

a separating chamber having a lower current inlet and an upward current passage and an upper current outlet in communication therewith and afiording an endless current passage or path extended up through and down around said separating chamber and in communication with said chambers, a rotary distributor for the supply and distribution of material to be separated Within the upward passage, and vertically or radially movably adjustable, for varying the height or width of the zone of distribution, for varying the separation of said material, variable current circulation means or rotary blower means for upflowing a fluid current through said upward passage for separating fine material therein and floating it therefrom into said settling chamber, and variable for varying the velocity of circulation of said current, for varying said separation, rotary current space variation means adjacent the upper outlet for defining the space through which said current may flow, and vertically or radially movably adjustable for varying said space, for varying the velocity of the current, for varying the separation, and a return current passage in communication from'the settling chamber to the lower inlet.

In some such separators the speed of rotation of the distributor has been variable,for varyingthe rate of supply of material, or for varying the velocity of its distribution, and the speed of rotation of the blower has been variable for varying the velocity of the circulation of the current, for varying the separation, and these variations have been automatically simultaneously effected in response to variations in the weight of unseparated material discharged from the separating chamber on to a weight responsive tailings cone, and in some such separators the current circulation means comprised fan blades which were manually adjustable to vary their superficial area, for thereby varying the velocity 'of said circulation.

Some types of such separators have relatively revoluble shafts, driven by relatively variable drivers, for relatively rotating the distributor and the blower at variable speeds, and other types rotate these at like speed by a single shaft common to both, and some types of such separators have a central feed pipe within a tubular drive shaft, and other types have an annular feed conduit around an inner drive shaft, which pipe or conduit has terminated in a supply orifice above and adjacent the distribution means.

My present invention may be used with either of said types, and relates especially to such separators in which the current space variation means and the distribution means are vertically spaced a substantial distance from each other, for af- 10 fording a substantial selection chamber therebetween, and in which the upper outlet is above this selection chamber and is spaced a substantial distance above the distribution means and is around and adjacent the current space variation means, and in which both the latter are movably adjustable relatively to the upper outlet, for varying adjacent the latter the space through which the current from the separating chamber may flow and for varying the zone of distribution from a substantial distance below the space variation means, for varying the separation.

One air separator is shown in my Patent No.

1,542,050 dated June 16, 1925, in which I have shown and claimed a distributor which during its rotation can be vertically lowered relatively to its I drive shaft, and uptosser means rotatable with it for uptossing material around it, and vertical interceptor vanes across the return current passage,

for intercepting material floating therein, and

non-rotary closure means for the ends of said vanes, and variable current circulation means comprising rotary fan blades, the superficial area of which could be manually varied by a special operation during their rotation, for varying the velocity of circulation of the current, and in which the non-rotary walls of the separating chamber itself were manually vertically adjustable to maintain their relation to the vertically adjustable distributor, for preventing variation of the volumetric area, or of the direction of the upward current passage, around and above the distributor with vertical adjustment of the latter.

Another air separator is shown in my Patent No. 1,834,095 dated Dec. 1, 1931, in which I have shown and claimed such current regulation means as a rotary and radially adjustable vertical upper valve and a rotary and vertically adjustable upper bafiie at the upper outlet, and each carried from the fan spokes by a lever fulcrumed thereon and rotatable therewith, which when its rotation was" stopped was operable to radially adjust the valve and vertically adjust the baflie at the same time, which required stoppage of operation.

Another air separator is shown in my Patent No. 1,876,516 dated Sept. 6, 1932, in which I have shown non-rotary radially adjustable segments spaced around a distributor disc for varying the distribution and current space therearound, and have claimed any adjustment means comprising radially adjustable plates for varying the width of distribution and current spaces around the zone of distribution, and have shown and claimed a non-rotary valve within the tailings cone, and a vent outlet within the tailings cone, and variable speed drivers for the distributor and blower which.

are varied by vertical movement of a weight responsive tailings cone, for automatically varying the speed of rotation of the distributor, for varying the rate of the supply of material to be separated and the velocity of its. distribution, and for automatically simultaneously varying. the speed of rotation of the blower, for varying the velocity of the circulation of the current coincidently with.

said variation of said supply and of said velocity of said distribution.

Another air separator is shown in my Patent No. 1,987,615 dated Jan. 15, 1935, in which I have shown a distributor consisting of a rotary conical ring of inwardly and outwardly movable segments, which is rotatable and adjustable relatively toaconical upper bafile below the upper outlet, and have claimed such a battle, and a. vent outlet within the separating chamber, and variable drivers for the distributor and blower which are varied by a weight responsive tailings cone,

for automatically varying the speed of rotation of the distributor, for varying the rate of supply of material to be separated and the velocity of distribution thereof, and .for simultaneously varying the speed of rotation of the blower, for varying the velocity of the circulation of the current colncidently with said variation in the rate of said supply. and in the velocity of said distribution.

Another air separator is shown in my Patent No, 1,992,942 dated March 5, 1935, in which I have shown a distributor and its hub or lower baflle adjacent and in vertically fixed relation to it which are fixed on a lower end of and move vertically with their drive shaft which is revolu-" bly mounted on and movable with an upwardly and downwardly movable bearing, carried by a sustainer lever which is sustained and moved by a weight responsive tailings cone, and have claimed any rotary distributor or bafiie so mounted, sustained and moved.

Another air separator is shown in my. application Serial No. 714,961, now Patent 2,055,485, filed March 10, 1934, as a continuation in part of my application Serial No. 687,359 which in part matured into Patent No. 1,987,615 granted January 15, 1935, and of my application Serial No. 514,199 filed Feb. 7, 1931, and of my application Serial No. 584,140 filed Dec. 31, 1.931, in which application Serial No. 714,961 I have shown a distributor and lower bafile each comprising a rotary ring of inwardly-and outwardly slidable segments for radially varying their size, andhave claimed a rotary distributor or bafiie comprising a ring of segments slidably adjustable by inward and outward movement.

Another air separator is shownin my application Serial No. 514,199, now Patent 2,055,484, filed Feb. 7, 1931, in which I have shown a distributor having a rotary ring of individually inwardly and outwardly slidably adjustable segments, and have claimed a rotary and vertically adjustable annular baiile spaced around and above the distributor, and an outwardly extended rotary valve mounted above the fan spokes and adjustable thereabove,

and vertically adjustable non-rotary valves, one conical, around the outer edges of the fan blades, and non-rotary flapper valves below the filter vanes.

Another air separator is shown in my application Serial No. 584,140 filed Dec. 31, 1931, in which I have shown and claimed a distributor and its lower bafile each having a rotary ring of segments which are collectively slidable relatively to uptosser means around the distributor, a conical annular baffle spaced around and above said segments, an upper valve and an upper baifie each surrounded by a ring of collectively radially slidable segments, means for coincidently radially adjusting said segments, rotary heaters around a rotary ring of radially slidable segments which are collectively slidable relatively thereof, a rotary ring of inwardly and outwardly slidable segmentsaabove the separating chamber and slidable relatively to the outlet, a vertically adjustable rotary valve above the outlet,,shown as adjustably depended by a screw from the fan spokes, jarrer hammers between the inner and outer casings, and collective adjustment means for collectively sliding the segments comprising oscillatory gearing, and current space variation means'adjacent the outlet and movably adjustable by adanced by a weighted lever, movable by one manipulation for vertically adjusting the distributor, a fiat baflie and a flat valve connected by motion reversal means and rotatably mounted on another upwardly and downwardly movable bearing slidable on the distributor drive shaft,

and counterbalanced by another weighted lever,

movable by another manipulation for thereby reversely relatively adjusting the bafile and valve at the same time, and. a flat rotary shelf as a closure under the interceptor vanes, and a rotary grooved ring as a closure around the tailings cone, and a conical rotary tailings retarder below the lower inlet and around the return current passage, and current space variation means adjacent the outlet and movably adjusted by adjustment means below said variation means and mounted below the blower and above the distributor.

Another separator is shown in my application Serial No. 628,678 filed August 13, 1932, in which I have shown and claimed fan spokes mounted a spaced distance below and extended up through a vertically adjustable distributor, and a fiat upper baffle having spokes mounted a spaced distance below the fan spokes and extended up through. the distributor, and a rotary inverted conical annular valve shown as around the fan spokes and having valve spokes mounted a spaced distance below and extended up through the distributor, the distributor adjuster being around and adjustable relatively to its shaft, and rotatably suspended on an upwardly and downwardly movable bearing within and encircled by the feed conduit, and the bafile and valve being suspended from within the drive shaft and rotatably mounted on bearings thereabove respectively, each bearing being upwardly and downwardly movable by a separate lever and a separate manipulation, and I have claimed a vertically adjustable annular jet orifice round the filter vanes, and a rotary conical leakage resistor below the vanes, and a rotary tubular deflector within the return current passage, the rotary parts being rotatable together and separately sustained and relatively slidmounted on a bearing around said bearing, and

a flat valve rotatably mounted on a bearing round the baffle bearing, these bearings being below the gear casing and slidable on a guide dependent therefrom, and each being upwardly and downwardly movable by a separate lever and a separate manipulation, with a motion reversal lever between the flat bafiie and a conical annular baiiie below it, and I have claimed a vertically adjustable deflector around the interceptor vanes and a rotary conical trough below and for sealing their lower ends, and a rotary retarder shelf within and above the lower inlet.

My said claimed constructions require separate manipulations for varying the zone of distribution and for varying the velocity of the circulation of the current or the space through which the current may flow, and did not accomplish both simultaneously, coincidently, nor collectively, provision for which constituted a part of my original invention as originally set forth in my said application Serial No. 606,407.

In my application Serial No. 55,423 filed Dec. 20, 1935, as a division, or a continuation in part, of my said application Serial No. 606,407, I have shown and claimed a distributor and a fiat upper baiile and a flat upper valve which are vertically adjustable at the same time by one manipulation, with a reverse motion connection between the distributor and the upper valve vertically moving the latter in reverse direction, to the verwhich is simultaneously reversely vertically movable, and have claimed distributor suspension adjustment means above the distributor and by which it is suspended, movably mounted within and below the outer casing, and by which the upper baflie and upper valve are sustained from below the latter, revoluble with the blower, and

revolubly connected to and operated by a non- ,rotary adjuster common to and sustaining the distributor, the baffle, a valve and the adjustment means, and by which at one manipulation the distributor and the upper baffle are adjusted in the sairie direction, and the valve is adjusted in a reverse direction, all simultaneously and without stopping the operation, in which construction the adjustment means is shown as fulcrumed to a Suspender depended from the blower.

In the said constructions shown in my said applications Serial Nos. 55,423 and 93,210, the space through which the current may flow was diminished for decreasing the velocity of the current coincidentally with vertical elevation of the zone of distribution, and was increased for increasing the velocity of the current, coincidently with depression of said zone.

In my application Serial No. 1,173 filed Jan. 10, '1935, of which this is a division or a continuation in part, I have shown a vertically adjustable lower distributor and a reversely vertically adjustable upper battle, which are connnected by a motion reversal connection which translates vertical movement of the lower distributor in one direction into vertical movement of the upper bafiie in the reverse direction and simultaneously moves both, the distributor and its lower hub or baffle each having a rotary ring of radially slidably adjustable segments slidable coincidently with said vertical adjustment, and being surrounded by an annular baflle which is adjustable relatively to the distributor and the upper baflle coincidently with adjustment thereof, and the upper baffle having an inner recessed portion of inverted conical shape around an inverted conical upper valve vertically fixed in relation to and carried by and movable with the distributor, all being revolubly carried by a vertically movable bearing mounted on a counterbalanced lever, and all being simultaneously adjustable by one manipulation during their rotation, and all being encircled by the fan spokes; and have also shown and claimed variable speed drivers for rotating the distributor and the fan blades at variable relative speeds, and a connection between said drlvers and said bearing operable to vary said speeds simultaneously with said adjustment of said distributor, and have claimed said relatively adjustable lower distributor and upper bafile connected by a motion translation connection and simultaneously adjustable the one from and relatively to the other by one manipulation coincidently with the other, and said annular baffie relatively adjustable thereby simultaneously with adjustment thereof and by said manipulation, and said recessed upper baffle around and movable reversely to a conical upper valve; and said radially slidable segments and vertically adjustable upper baflie connected by a motion translation connection and simultaneously relatively moved thereby coincidently with adjustment of said lower distributor, and being revolubly connected below the distributor to the fan drive shaft and adjusted therefrom from below the distributor, and said operative connection between said parts and said variable driver means operable to vary the speed of rotation transmitted from the latter simultaneously with variations in said adjustment thereof; and said rotary and relatively adjustable parts within and encircled by said fan spokes and adjustable relatively thereto.

In my application Serial No. 38,777 filed August 31, 1935, I have shown a separator having a relatively vertically adjustable lower distributor, lower bailie, annular baffle, upper baffie and upper valve, the annular baille being radially adjustable from within to around the upward current passage, and the lower baffle being simultaneously reversely radially adjustable, and all being revolubly suspended from a vertically adjustable bearing mounted on a counterbalanced lever and in operative relation to a variable speed driver common to, and the speed of rotation of which is automatically varied simultaneously with adjustment of, said parts, and have claimed coincident variable relative adjustment" of said parts, and radial adjustment of said annular-baffle, and simultaneous reverse radial adjustment of the latter and said lower baffie, and adjustment means for said distributor, baffles and valve, mounted below the blower and above-the upper outlet, or extended radially outwardly of the latter, or on the blower or the fan blades.

My original invention as originally set forth in my said application Serial No. 1,173 comprised as one feature an upper bafiie carried from a lower distributor bya motion reversal connnection operable to translate vertical movement of the lower distributor in one direction into vertical movement of the upper baffle in the reverse direction, and in the reverse direction to an annular baffle therebetween and to a vertically movable valve thereabove, all being simultaneously moved by one manipulation, to which the claims in said application are directed; and comprised as another feature a construction without an upper baffle and comprising a vertically adjustable lower distributor and upper valve in vertically fixed relation and simultaneously vertically adjustable in the same direction and to the same extent at the same time, below the fan spokes and each carried by a vertically movable suspender revolubly carried by a vertically adjustablebearing mounted on a counterbalanced lever, and both simultaneously adjusted by one manipulation thereof, which feature included an annular. baiile movable from adjacent a distributor to adjacent an upper outlet coincidently withand in the same direction as and to a greater extent than, and by vertical adjustment of, the distributor and upper valve, said distributor and its lower bafile each having a rotary ring of radially adjustably slidable segments, adjusted from'above the lower baffle and coincidently with Yvertical adjustment thereof, and from the distributor drive shaft thereabove, and variable speed drivers for rotating the distributor and the fan blades at variable relative speeds, and a connection between said drivers and said lever,

operable to vary said speeds simultaneously with adjustment of said valve or said annular baffle.

My present application pertains tosaid second features originally comprised in my said original application Serial No. 1173 and aims to protect said portion of my said original invention.

To thisend in carrying out the preferred embodiment. of my present invention as applied to a separator in which the separating chamber is in direct communication with the upper outlet, andv in which the current circulation means is rotatable at variable speed, and in which the current space variation means comprises an upper valve adjacent and movably adjustable relatively to the upper outlet, and in which the distribution means comprises a movably adjustablelower distributor, and in which adjustment means for said valve and distributor coincidently movably adjusts them, I preferably mount said valve and distributor in vertically fixed relation, and make them vertically movable in the same direction and to the same extent at the same time, and revolubly suspended from a vertically adjustable upper bearing adjusted by one manipulation and thereby operable to simultaneously identically adjust the lower distributor and the upper valve, and I preferably provide an annular baffle intermediate the distributor and upper valve which is movable simultaneously therewith from adjacent the distributor, for affording a substantial. precipitation chamber between the annular bafiie and the upper outlet, to adjacent the upper outlet, for eliminating such a chamber, and I preferably provide both said distributor and its hub or lower baffle with a rotary ring of radially adjustably slidable segments, and radially slidably adjust said segments from above and simultaneously with vertical adjustment of the dis axial section, of a central feed conduit air separator provided with the preferred form and combination of my present improvements, cut on the lines ll in Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary cross section thereof, the left hand side of the view being cut on the plane of the fulcrum of the counterbalanced lever, andthe other parts of the view being stepped down and cut on planes, the one extended above the fan blades, the next extended immediately below them, the next extended immediately above the annular baffle, the next extended immediately above the lower baflie, the next extended immediately below the latter, the next 1 extended immediately below the distributor, and the next through the filter vanes, these planes being approximately indicated by the dotted lines 2 in Fig. 1, and

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary horizontal section of the drive shaft, the view being cut approximately on the plane of the line 3 in Fig. 1, and similarly stepped down for showing the segments of the lower baffie and distributor in plan.

Referring to the drawings, in which the same numbers indicate similar parts of an air separator, H is the outer casing enclosing a settling chamber i3, I5 is an inner casing enclosing a separating chamber [1, I9 is a coarse material receiver, 2! is a supply conduit, 23 is a rotary distributor, 25 is a distribution chamber, 21 is the distributor drive shaft, 29 are its drive gears, 3! is a lower current inlet to the separating chamber, 53 is an upward current passage there'- in, 33 is an upper current outlet therefrom, 35 are the blower fan blades for circulating a sepa-- rating current up through the separating cham-' her and down through the settling chamber, I25 are the fan spokes, 3! is the return current passage, 39 is a filter consisting of one or more rings of circumferentially spaced vertical vanes across the return current passage, for intercepting and dropping through their open lower ends fine material in the current returning from the settling chamber, 4| is the fan drive shaft, 43 are the fan gears, 45 is a variable speed motor or other primary driver, 41 is an outlet for fine material, 49 is an outlet for coarse material, 6| is a rotary upper valve, opposite and extended outwardly across and above the upper outlet 33, for defining the space between the upper valve and the upper outlet through which said current may flow from the upper outlet, Bl is an annular baflie within the separating chamber and between the distributor 23 and the outlet 33 for defining the path through which said currentmay flow therebetween, H are rotary uptossers around the distributor 23, for uptossing distributed material, 53 is a lower baflle above and adjacentthe distributor, 5i and 55 are rotary rings of radially slidable segments slidably mounted around the distributor and lower baffle for radiall'y varying the size thereof and the distribution and current space therearound, it is a rotary retarder shelf spaced inwardly of and above the lower inlet 3|, and above and around the return passage 3i, for retarding and dropping unseparated material thereabove, "I5 is a rotary tubular partition between the return current passage and the coarse receiver E9, E1 is a rotary shelf below the filter vanes for r-esisting leakage thereunder, 19 is a rotary grooved ring around the receiver l9 for resisting leakage therearound, 8| is a vapor outlet pipe within and encircled by the partition 15, 83 is a vertically adjustable current deflector above and spaced around the filter 39, 85 are jarrer hammers between the inner and outer casings, 8'! is a revoluble gravity striker for operating these hammers, 89 is a vertical anvil in communication from the striker 81 to the hammers 85, for vibrating the latter, |3| are conically arranged rings for carrying the filter vanes, I33 is a suspender rod therefor and for the inner casing, M3 is an adjuster nut for vertically adjusting these, |3l are vertically slidable radial guides therefor, and |39 is an annular conical deflector valve around the outer edges of the fan blades 35, which deflector valve with the deflector ring 83 is vertically adjustably carried by a rod Ml, which also carries whirl checks I35 which are disposed between the spaced reversely cone rings of the deflector 83 to check whirling of current therebetween.

These parts may be of any suitable construction for the distribution of material to be separated in the distribution chamber 25 and for causing a current to flow up through the separating chamber and upper outlet into the settling chamber, and to return through the lower inlet, for separating and floating fine material into the settling chamber, and for dropping coarse material into the receiver.

The distributor and its hub or lower bafiie have been rotatable at variable speed, for varying the rate of supply and the velocity of distribution of the material to be separated, and

have been vertically adjustable for vertically varying the zone of distribution, and have been radially adjustable for radially varying said zone and the width of the distribution chamber, for varying the separation, and the annular battle has been vertically adjustable for varying the height of the selection chamber above it, for

varying the separation, and the upper valve has i been rotatable for discharging material from it,

and has been vertically or radially adjustable for varying the space through which the current may flow from the upper outlet, for varying the velocity of the current, for varying the separation, and these parts have been revolubly suspended from an upwardly and downwardly movable bearing 9|, mounted on a lever 93, counterbalanced by weights 91, carried therefrom by a screw threaded rod 99, and adjusted by a nut 95, the manipulation of which simultaneously vertically adjusted the distribution means in one direction and the valve means in the reverse direction at the same time, as claimed in my said application Serial No. 55,423 or adjusted the distribution means and relatively adjusted the upper baffle at the same time, as claimed in my said application Serial No. 1,173, for simultaneously varying the zone of distribution and the velocity of the separating current, andthe fan blades have been variable or rotatable at variable dently with variation of the zone of distribution and of the space through which the current may flow below and to the outlet.

According to my present invention I preferably movably adjust the distributor 23 and the upper valve 6| in the same direction and to the same extent at the same time and by one manipulation, and thereby by increase the space through which the current may flow, and the velocity of the separating current simultaneously with elevation of the zone of distribution, and vice versa, and I accomplish this by making the vertically adjustable lower distribution means, and vertically adjustable upper valve, in fixed vertical relation throughout their vertical adjustments,

preferably by fixedly mounting each on a vertically movable suspender 59, shown as within and vertically slidable through and revoluble relatively to the fan shaft 4|, and as splined to and revoluble with and around and vertically as extended up through and revolubly mounted on the vertically adjustable bearing 9|, adjust- 'ment of which vertically adjusts the distributor and upper valve in the same direction and to the same extent and at the same time.

According to another feature of my present invention I make the annular baiiie 5i vertically movable from an active position adjacent the distributor and below the selection chamber 65,

,30 slidable relatively to the distributor shaft 27, and

in which position it sinuously directs the path of the current into the latter, to an inactive position above the selection chamber 65, in which position it practically eliminates the selection chamber and is disposed under and adjacent the upper outlet 33, and thereby affords a more di- It rect current passage from the distribution chamber 25 to the upper outlet 33, which is desirable for coarse separation. To accomplish this I preferably make the annular baflle 51 move in the same direction as, but to a greater extent than, the upper valve 5| moves, by multiplying its movement relatively to the latter and making both move simultaneously in the same direction but to relatively different extents, whereby the bafiiemay be made active or inactive as the intensity of the current is decreased or increased and as the zone of distribution is lowered or raised. In its lower or active position the baflie 67 is above and adjacent the uptossers H and intercepts and rotatably discharges uptossed partheir movement by means of a motion multiplication lever 69 which is fulcrumed on the hub orlower baffle 53, and the long arm of which carries the annular bafile 61, and the short arm of which extends through a slot M1 in the suspender 59 and engages a hole I49 in the dis- .tributor shaft .21 so that when the suspender is raised relatively to this shaft the lever 69 will be swung and its long end will raise the baffle 61 to adjacent the outlet 33.

Another feature of my present invention provides for radially sliding one or both the rotary rings of segments 5I and 55 from above the lower baffle 53 and preferably coincidently with vertical adjustment thereof, which may be accomplished in any suitable manner, but for which I preferably provide bell cranks 51, which are fulcrumed on the lower bafile 53, and have one arm connected to the segments 55 and the other arm extended through one of the slots I4! in the suspender 59 and in engagement with one of the holes I49 in the distributor shaft 2? in such manner that when the suspender is raised relatively to this shaft the bell cranks will be tilted to the end of radially sliding the segments outwardly for thereby varying the width of the upward passage 63 around them. The segments fine separation simultaneously with vertical movement of the distributor and the upper bailie.

In the construction shown the inner ends of the levers 5'9 and of the bell cranks 59 are extended through the slots I41 in the distributor suspender 59 and into the holes I49 in the distributor drive shaft 21, and thus serve to spline the suspender 59 to the shaft 21 in such manner that the suspender 59 and the shaft 2'! must rotate together while the suspender 59 may be moved vertically relatively to the shaft 2'! as the bearing 9| for the suspender is raised or lowered for movably adjusting the distributor 23 and the valve BI and annular baffle 51 from their lower positions shown in full lines in Fig. 1 to their upper positions shown in dotted lines in said figure. In this construction the shaft 21 and suspender 59 are shown as revoluble relatively to and revolubly mounted inwardly of the tubular blower shaft M for rotating the fan blades 35, an arrangement which is desirable in the type of separator in which the distributor and the fan blades are relatively rotatable.

The distributor and upper valve are preferably rotatable relatively to the fan blades in the construction shown, which comprises a variable speed distributor driver I93 and a variable speed blower levers I99, those of the driver IUI being manually adjusted as by a screw II9.

According to another feature'of my invention the speed of rotation of the distributor '23 and the upper valve BI is automatically varied as these are simultaneously adjusted inthe same direction and to the same-extent at the same time, and preferably the speed of rotation of the ation of the zone of distribution, and the physical characteristics of the separating chamber itself are preferably varied from one comprising a contracted circuitous passage between the distribution means and the upper outlet, for effecting fine separation, to one comprising an expanded direct current passage therebetween, for effecting coarse separation, and variations in the velocity of the distribution of the material to be separated, and in the velocity of the circulation of the current, and of the space through which the current may flow, are preferably effected ccincidently with such variations of the physical character of the separating chamber itself, for effecting which variations coincidently my present invention preferably provides an operative connection between and in operative relation to a current space variation means, such as the rotary valve 9i for varying the space through which the current may flow, or the rotary -.annuiar bafiie 67 movabie from with a lower part of the separating chamber and around. a lower part of the upward passage to above the latter and adjacent and around the upper outlet, constructed and arranged to vary the variable driver means for increasing the speed of rotation of the current circulation means coincidently with movement of the space variation means toward an open position, or coincidently withmovement of the annular baffle from withinand around to above the separating chamber, or vice versa.

This may be accomplished in anysuitable manner but preferably I accomplish it from the adjustment means 93 common .to the distributor 23 and the valve 5!, by connecting an upper arm I9! of the lever 93 with the shifter levers I59 of *the distributor driver I53, and by connecting a lower arm it? of the lever 93 with the shifters I89 of the blower driver H15 in such manner that as the distributor 23 and valve .5! are lowered their driver I93 will be varied to increase their speed of rotation, and the blower driver I95 will v distributor sufficiently to enableit to centrifugally project the distributed material across the then relatively wide distributionchamber, and when the segments'are used with and radially extended relatively to a distributor as it is raised to the position shown in dotted linesin Fig. 1 for radially increasing its size and decreasing the radial width of the distribution chamber .25 around it,

and thereby. increasing the intensity of the current flowing past it, for coarse separation, it then is desirable that the speed of rotation of the distributor should be diminished, in order that the velocity of its centrifugal discharge of the material across the then narrow distribution chamber shall not be so rapid as to resist separation.

This variation of the speed of rotation of the blower is especially desirable when the upper valve BI and the lower distributor'23 are moved in the same direction and to the same extent at the same time, to the end that when the space through which the current may flow is diminished by the lowering of the valve BI and the area of the distribution chamber 25 is increased by the retraction of the segments 5I and 55, the velocity of the circulation of the current may be simultaneously modified coincidently with the throttling of said space by lowering the valve 6! for fine separation. Increased speed of rotation of the blower is desirable coincidently with elevation of the distributor 23 and the upper valve 6|, in order that simultaneously therewith the velocity of the circulation of the current may be increased coincidently with decrease in the width of the distribution chamber and increase in the space through which the current is permitted to flow from the separating chamber.

According to another feature of my present invention I conserve height in the construction of the separator by mounting the fan spokes I25 on a fan hub I45 which is extended and disposed within the hollow or recessed upper side of the upper valve 6!, which latter is mounted below and extended upwardly and outwardly around this hubto adjacent the inner edges of the fan blades and has its outer edge movable from below and adjacent the spokes I25 to above and near the outlet 33, and within and above its upper side it is connected to its Suspender 59, which is slidable up through the fan hub I45 for suspending the valve from within or through the latter and for adjustably moving it from thereabove. As shown the suspender 59 is around and slidable on the distributor shaft 21, and is splined thereto by the inner ends of the bell cranks 5'! and the levers 69 which spline it thereto by passing through the slots I41 in the suspender 59 and entering holes I49 in the shaft 27, which is vertically stationary as the suspender 59 is vertically slid axially of it. I

Another feature of my present invention suspends and rotates the annular retarder I3, the tubular partition I5, the rotary shelf I7, and the rotary ring I9 from the distributor drive shaft 21, as by circumferentially spaced hangers I5I connected to the end of this shaft above the distributor and inwardly of and encircled by its hub or lower baffle 53 and extended therefrom down through the distributor insuch manner that the latter when vertically adjustable may be slid relatively to the hangers and the parts sustained thereby, for vertically stationarily positioning these a spaced distance below the adjustable distributor which rotates therewith.

Another feature of my present invention extends the rotary ring I9 from below to above the lower ends of the filter vanes 39, whereby to resist inflow of current between these ends for which purpose I preferably extend the ring 19 from above to below the upper edge of the receiver I9, with its inner annular groove portion spaced around this edge, and its lower portion below this edge connected to the rotary shelf 11 below the lower ends of the vanes 39, in conjunction with which it serves to enclose the lower ends of these vanes and to resist inflow therethrough as the shelf 'II resists upflow therebetween and as its groove portion resists leakage between it and the edge of the receiver I9.

Another feature of my present invention preferably makes the deflector 83 concentrate the separating current into a downward jet intermediate and a spaced-distance from the cylindrical walls of the outer casing and the separating chamber, for which purpose I preferably form it of concentric, reversely tapered conical rings, which are radially spaced from each other by circumferentially spaced whirl checks I35 therebetween, and which have lower edges radially spaced from said walls respectively, and which are thereby adapted to jet the separating current downwardly a spaced distance therefrom and a substantial distance radially outwardly of and around the vanes 39. Thus downwardly jetting the dust laden current tends to impel particles floating therein past the vanes 39 and into the dust chamber I3 as the current tends to change its direction toward and between the vanes 39.

Another feature of my present invention preferably provides the outer casing with vertically adjustable and reversible supports or feet I53, which preferably have an L shaped portion slidably and reversely adjustably bolted to any one of a plurality of holes in vertically extended members or legs I55 provided on the outer casing II,

in such manner that the height of any foot I53 1 may be adjusted for mounting the separator on a support below it, or the feet may be inverted for suspending the separator from an upper support.

In operation with the construction shown the zone of the distribution, the velocity of the distribution, the velocity of the circulation, and the space through which the current may flow, will be coincidently varied by vertically adjusting the upper valve and the lower distributor in the same direction and to the same extent at the same time by one manipulation. When the annular bafiie 61 is used it will by the same manipulation be simultaneously adjusted from below to above the selection chamber. When the segments 5| and 55 are employed for radially varying the size of the space therearound they will be simultaneously adjusted by the same manipulation. When the variable speed driver IE3 is used for the distributor its speed of rotation will be automatically varied simultaneously with coincident adjustment of the distributor and the upper valve, and when the variable speed driver IE5 is used with the fan blades 35 its speed of rotation will be automatically varied simultaneously with such coincident adjustment of the distributor 23 and upper valve BI.

It will be understood that my present invention is not limited to the particular details of construction, arrangement, use or combination, of

features set forth as constituting the preferred,

form thereof, since it may be availed of in whole or in part according to such modifications of these as circumstances or the judgment of those skilled in the art, may dictate, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. In a current separator comprising, a settling chamber, a separating chamber having a lower current inlet and an upward current passage and an upper current outlet in communication therewith, a distributor spaced below said outlet and within said passage, for the supply and distribution of material to be separated therein, and movably adjustable relatively to said outlet for varying the zone of said distribution,

for varying the separation, rotary blower means comprising spoke'means having fan blades above said outlet for upfiowing a separating current throughsaid passage, for the separation of fine material therein, and a valve above and adjacent said outlet, for defining the space through which said-current may flow therefrom, and movably adjustable for varying said space, for varying the velocity of said current, for varying said separation; the combination therewith ofan adjuster common to and in operative relation to said distributor and said valve, for-movably adjusting said distributor and said valve, connected to and movable simultaneously with and in the same direction as said distributor and said valve,

, and operable to simultaneously adjust said distributor and said valve in the same direction, and thereby to vary said velocity adjacent said outlet coincidently with variation of said zone below said outlet, for varying the separation.

2. In the separator specified in claim 1, said I adjuster being vertically movable, and being op- 'erable to vertically movably adjust said distributor and said valve in the same direction.

3. In the separator specified in claim 1, said adjusterbeing in'vertically fixed relation to said distributor and said valve, and being operable to simultaneously movably adjust said distributor and said valve-in the same direction.

4. An air separator for grading materials comprising, in combination,an outer casingenclosing a settling chamber, an inner casing enclosing a separating chamber having a lower inlet and an upper outlet in communication with said outer chamber, blower means for causing a-fiuid current to flow up through said separating chamberand to return through said outer chamber,

for separating and floating fine material into said outer chamber, a distributor in saidseparating chamber, for receiving and delivering material to be separated therein, and a tailings receiver within said outer chamber and having an open end spaced around said lower inlet, for receiving tailings dropping through said lower inlet, and for afiording a return current passage from said outer chamber to said lower inlet; the combination therewith of a rotary, opentopped, tubular partition wall, within and in communication between said separating chamher and said receiver, and. within and spaced inwardly of said lower inlet, between said distributor and said receiver, and inwardly or" and encircled by said return current passage, and

adapted to rotatably partition the latter from the space below said distributor and above said receiver, and to afiord current communication Within said wall, through said space, for .rotatably defining the path of said returning current,

the intensity of said current around said distributor coincidently with said increase of said intensity above said outlet.

6. In the separator specified in claim 1, said distributor comprising a lower baflle spaced above and adjacent and vertically movable with it i which comprises a rotary ring of radially slidably adjustable segments Which are outwardly slidable coincidently with collective upward movement of said distributor and said valve, and 5 are thereby operable to decrease the radial width of the current passage above and adjacent said zone, whereby to increase the intensity of said current around said 'bafiies, coincidently with collective upward movement of said distributor and saidvalve, for increasing said intensity adjacent said zone coincidently with increase of said intensity above said outlet.

'7. A current separator comprising, a settling chamber, a separating chamber having a lower current inlet and an upward current passage and an upper current-outlet in communication therewith, distribution meanslspaced below said outlet and within said passage, for the supply and distribution of material to be separated therein, 9 and blower means in communication with said outlet, for upfiowing a separating current through said passage for the separation of fine material therein; the combination therewith of an annular bafile within said separating chamber, between said distribution means and said outlet and around said upward passage,'for defining the path through which said currentmay flow from above said distribution means to said upper outlet, and vertically adjustable for vary- 5 ing said path, for varying the separation, said annular bafiie being vertically adjustable from above and adjacent said distribution means, for defining a circuitous path thereabove, to below and adjacent said outlet, for defining a less circuitous and more direct path for said current between said distribution means and said outlet. 8. In the separator specified in claim '7, said distribution means being vertically adjustable for vertically varying the zone of distribution, wit and said annular ba'flle being vertically adjustable in the same direction as and to a greater extent than and simultaneously with said vertical adjustment of said distribution means, and being thereby operable to define a circuitous path for said current coincidently with depression of said zone, and a more direct path for said ourrent coincidently with elevation of said zone,

for varying the separation simultaneously with vertical variation of said zone.

9. In the separator specified in claim 7, said distributor and said annular baflie being relatively verticallyadjustable in the same direction and at the same time, for simultaneously varying said zone and said path, and being connected by a motion multiplication connection in operative relation to each and operable to move the annular bafile from, and a multiplied distance relatively to the movement of, the distributor coincidently with movement of the latter.

10. In the separator specified in claim '7, a valve above said outlet, for defining the space through whichsaid current may fiow therefrom, and vertically adjustable for varying said space, for regulating the intensity of said current, for varying the separation, and said annular baffle being in operative relation to said valve and being movable simultaneously with and in the same direction as and to a greater extent than the movement of said valve, and being thereby operable to define said circuitous path when said valve is moved downwardly for diminishing the intensity of said current, and to define said direct "path when said valve is moved upwardly for A increasing the intensity of said current, whereby to vary said path coincidently with said regulation of said intensity.

11. In the separator specified in claim 7, said distribution means comprising a ring of collectively radially slidable adjustable segments inwardly of and adjacent and concentric of the zone of said distribution, and radially inwardly and outwardly slidable relatively thereto for radially varying the width of said passage adjacent said zone for varying the intensity of said current adjacent thereto, for varying the separation, and said annular baflle being vertically movable simultaneously with said radial movement of said segments, from a lower position above and ad- .jacent thereto when said segments are moved radially inwardly, and then operable to define a circuitous path for said current thereabove, to an upper position below and adjacent said outletwhen said segments are moved radially outwardly and then operable to define a more direct path for said current between said segments and said outlet, for varying said path coincidently with radial variation of said passage around said segments.

12. A current separator comprising, a settling chamber, a separating chamber having a lower current inlet and an upward current passage and an upper current outlet in communication therewith, a rotary distribution means spaced below said outlet and within said passage, for the supply and distribution therein of material to be separated therein, and movably adjustable relatively to said outlet, for varying the zone-of said distribution, for varyingthe separation, rotary blower means in communication with said passage, for the upflow of a separating current therethrough, for the separation of material therein, and a rotary valve above said outlet and in the path of said current, for defining the space through which said current may flow, and movably adjustable for varying said space, for varying the velocity of said current, for varying said separation; the combination therewith of adjustment means common to and in operative relation to said distribution means and said rotary valve, for movably adjusting each thereof, connected to and movable simultaneously with and in the same direction as said distribution means and said rotary valve, and being operable to simultaneously adjustably move said distribution means and said rotary valve in the same direction, and being thereby operable to vary -said fvelocity coincidently with said variation of said zone of distribution.

13. In the separator specified in claim 12, said adjustment means beingrotatable with said rotary distribution means and with said rotary valve, and being operable during said rotation to adjustably move said distribution means and said rotary valve in the same direction.

14. In the separator specified in claim 12, said adjustment means being vertically movable and being in vertically fixed spaced relation to said distribution means and to said rotary valve, and being operable to vertically adjust said distribution means and said rotary valve in the same direction and to the same extent at the same time.

15. An air separator for grading materials comprising, an outer casing enclosing a settling chamber, an inner casing enclosing a separating chamber having a lower inlet and an upper outlet in communication with said outer chamber,

blowermeans for-causing a fluid current to flow up through said separating chamber and to return'through said outer chamber, for separating and floating fine material into said outer chamber, a distributor in said separating chamber, for receiving and delivering material to be separated therein, and a tailings receiver within said outer chamber and having an open end spaced around said lower inlet, for receiving tailings dropping through said lower inlet, and for affording a return current passage from said outer chamber to said lower inlet; the combination therewith of a rotary annular tailings retarder around and above said return current passage and within and above and spaced inwardly of said lower inlet.

16. A current separator comprising, a settling chamber, a separating chamber having a lower current inlet and an upward current passage and an upper current outlet in communication therewith, supply means spaced below said outlet and within a lower portion of said passage, for the supply therein of material to be separated therein, and current circulation means in communication with said outlet, for upflowing a separating current through said passage, for the separation therein of said material; the combination therewith of a'movable annular wall within said separating chamber and above said supply means and below said upper outlet, for defining the volumetric area of said upward passage below said wall and above said supply means, and movable within said separating chamber from above and adjacent said supply means, for contracting the volumetric area of said upward passage below said wall and above and adjacent said supply means, to above said separating chamber and remote from said supply means and adjacent said upper outlet, for expanding said area, for varying the velocity of said current upfiowing within said separating chamber below said wall and above said supply means coincidently with said variation of said volumetric area of said upward passage below said wall and above said supply means, for varying said separation.

17. A current separator comprising, a settling chamber, a separating chamber having a lower current inlet and an upward current passage and an upper current outlet in communication therewith, supply means spaced below said outlet and within a lower portion of said passage, for the supply therein of material to be separated therein, and current circulation means in communication with said outlet, for upflowin g a separating current through said passage, for the separation therein of said material; the combination there-' with of a rotary movable annular wall within said separating chamber above said supply means and below said upper outlet, for rotatably defining the volumetric area of said upward passage below said wall and above said supply means, and movable within said separating ohamber from above and adjacent said supply means, for contracting the volumetric area of said upward passage below said wall and above and adjacent said supply means, to above said separating chamber and adjacent said upper outlet, for expanding said area, for varying the velocity of said current upflowing through said upward passage, for varying said separation.

18. In a current separator comprising, a settling chamber, a separating chamber having a lower current inlet and an upward current passage and an upper current outlet in communication therewith, supply means below said outlet the. supply therein of material to be separated therein, rotary blower meansin communication with said passage, for the upward circulation of a current therethroug-h, for the separation of said material therein,- variable speed rotation means in operative relation to and for" rotating said blower means, and variable forrotating the latter at variable speed, for varying the velocity of said current, for varying said separation, and a movably adjustable annular wall within said separating chamber above said supply means and below said upper outlet, for defining the volumetric area of said upward. passage below said wall and above saidsupply means, and movable from above and adjacent said supply means, for contracting said area, to adjacent said upper outlet, for expanding said area, for varying the velocity of said current flowing through said upward passage, for varying said separation; the combination therewith of an operative connection in operative relation to said movable wall and to said variable speed rotation means, for varying the latter coincidently with said movement of the former, operated with said movement of said movable wall, constructed and. arranged to vary the speed of said variable speed rotation means coincidently with said movement of saidannular wall, and being operable to vary the velocity of the circulation of said current coincidently with variation of the volumetric area of said upward passage.

19. In a current separator comprising, a settling chamber, a separating chamber having a lower current inlet and an upward current passage and an upper current outlet in communication therewith, supply means below said outlet and within said passage, for the supply therein of material to'be separated therein, rotary currentcirculation means in communication with said passage for the upward circulation of a current therethrough, for the separation 'of said material therein, variable speed rotation means in operative relation to and for rotating said circulation means, and variable for rotating the lat ter at variable speed, for varying the velocity of said circulation, for varying said separation, and

current space variation means in the path of said current, for defining the space through which said current may flow, and variable for varying said space, for varying the velocity of said current, for varying said separation; the combination therewith of an operative connection in operative relation to said current space variation means and said variable speed rotation means, for coincidently varying each thereof, operated with variation of said current space variation means, and being operable to vary said variable speed rotation means coincidently with said variation of said space variation means, and being thereby operable to vary the velocity of the circulation of said current coincidently with variation of the space through which said current may flow.

20. In a current separator comprising, a settling chamber, a separating chamber having a lower current inlet and an upward current passage and an upper current outlet in communication therewith, rotary distribution means below said outlet and within said passage, for the supply and distribution therein of material to be separated therein, and rotatable at variable speed, for varying the velocity of said distribution, variable speed rotation means, for rotating said distribution means, and variable for varying the speed of rotation. of the latter, current circulationmeans in communication with said passage, for the upward circulation of a current therethrough, for the separation of material therein, and a current space variation valve in the path of said current for defining the space through which said current may flow, and variable for varying said space, for varying the velocity of said current, for varying said separation; the combination therewith of an operative connection in operative 

